Faceplate Remote Control Device for Use in a Load Control System

ABSTRACT

A faceplate remote control device may be attached to a wall-mounted mechanical light switch that has a toggle actuator. The faceplate remote control device may include a toggle indicator that detects operation of the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch. The toggle indicator may cause the generation of an indication of detected operation of the toggle actuator. The toggle indicator may comprise a sliding member that is configured to move with the toggle actuator. The toggle indicator may comprise an obstruction detection device that includes an infrared (IR) transmitter and an IR receiver. The faceplate remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit to transmit one or more messages in response to detecting operation of the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/576,983, filed Dec. 19, 2014, entitled FACEPLATE REMOTE CONTROLDEVICE FOR USE IN A LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,848,479),which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/920,865, filed Dec. 26, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Electrical loads, such as lamps, ceiling lighting fixtures, thermostats,shades, etc., may be controlled using load control devices. A loadcontrol device may be configured for wireless communication. Forinstance, a dimmer switch may be configured as a radio-frequency (RF)dimmer switch. Such a load control device may be associated with one ormore devices in a load control system, such as a lighting controlsystem. A load control device that participates in a load control systemmay receive wirelessly communicated messages (e.g., including commands)from one or more other devices of the load control system. The messagesmay cause the load control device to adjust the amount of powerdelivered to one or more electrical loads that are connected to the loadcontrol device.

FIG. 1 depicts an example prior art lighting control system 10 thatincludes a tabletop RF dimmer switch 20 and a lamp 30 that is pluggedinto the dimmer switch 20, such that the dimmer switch 20 may beoperated to control the amount of power delivered to the lamp 30. Thedimmer switch 20 may be electrically connected to an electrical circuitthat includes an alternating-current (AC) power source 40 and an ACoutlet 42 that is electrically connected to the AC power source 40. TheAC outlet 42 includes an upper switched receptacle 41 and a lowerunswitched receptacle 43. The electrical circuit further includes awall-mounted light switch 46 that is mounted in an electrical wallboxand is coupled in series electrical connection between the AC powersource 40 and the upper switched receptacle 41. The lamp 30 may becontrolled by the wall-mounted switch 46. The dimmer switch 20 includesa plug 22 that is plugged into the switched receptacle 41. The lamp 30includes a plug 32 that is plugged into the plug 22 of the dimmer switch20, such that the delivery of AC power to the lamp 30 may be controlledby operating a toggle actuator (not shown) of the wall-mounted switch 46to open and close the switch.

The lighting control system 10 may further include one or more devicesthat are configured to wirelessly communicate with the dimmer switch 20.As shown, the lighting control system 10 includes an occupancy and/orvacancy sensor 50, a daylight sensor 60, and a remote control device 70,such as a remote keypad. One or more of the occupancy and/or vacancysensor 50, the daylight sensor 60, and the remote control device 70 maywirelessly communicate with the dimmer switch 20 via RF signals 90, forexample to command the dimmer switch 20 to adjust the amount of AC powerthat is provided to the lamp 30.

Control of the illustrated lighting control system 10 may be compromisedwhen power is removed from the upper switched receptacle 41 of theoutlet 42. For instance, when the wall switch 46 is turned off, awireless communication component of the dimmer switch 20, such as areceiver, may be unpowered and thus unable to receive wirelesslycommunicated commands. This may undesirably render the dimmer switch 20unresponsive to wirelessly communicated commands from the occupancyand/or vacancy sensor 50, the daylight sensor 60, and the remote control70, such as commands to turn on, turn off, or dim the lamp 30.

Plugging the dimmer switch 20 into the lower unswitched receptacle 43 ofthe outlet 42 may ensure continuous power of the wireless communicationcomponent of the dimmer switch 20, but would remove the ability toswitch power to the lamp 30 using the wall-mounted switch 46. This maybe undesirable to a user of the lighting control system 10. A user ofthe lighting control system 10 may prefer to be able to switch power tothe lamp 30 via the wall-mounted switch 46, while ensuring that the lamp30 remains controllable by the dimmer switch 20, for instance via one ormore of the occupancy and/or vacancy sensor 50, the daylight sensor 60,and the remote control 70.

Moreover, a user of the lighting control system 10 may be undesirablyconstrained from relocating the dimmer switch 20 and/or the lamp 30. Forexample, if the user desires to move the dimmer switch 20 and the lamp30 to a location wherefrom the electrical cord of the dimmer switch 20will not reach the upper switched receptacle 41 of the outlet 42, theuser may be forced to plug the dimmer switch 20 into an unswitchedoutlet, such that the ability to switch the lamp 30 is lost, or may beforced to connect the dimmer switch 20 to the upper switched receptacle41 using an extension cord, which may be impractical and/oraesthetically unpleasing.

SUMMARY

As described herein, a faceplate remote control device may be configuredto be attached to a wall-mounted mechanical light switch that has atoggle actuator. The faceplate remote control device may include ahousing that defines an opening that permits the toggle actuator of thelight switch to protrude through the opening, such that the toggleactuator is operable when the faceplate remote control device isattached to the mechanical light switch.

The faceplate remote control device may be configured to detectoperation of the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch, for exampleoperation of the mechanical switch from a first position to a secondposition. The faceplate remote control device may include a toggleindicator that is configured to detect operation of the toggle actuatorof the mechanical switch. The toggle indicator may cause the generationof an indication that operation of the toggle actuator is detected.

The toggle indicator may comprise a sliding member that is configured tomove with the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch when the toggleactuator is operated. The sliding member may include anelectrically-conductive wiper that is configured to abut a conductivepad when the toggle actuator is operated. Contact between theelectrically-conductive wiper and the conductive pad may cause theconductive pad to generate an indication of operation of the toggleactuator.

The toggle indicator may comprise an obstruction detection device thatincludes an infrared (IR) transmitter and an IR receiver. The IRtransmitter may generate an IR beam that is received at the IR receiverwhen the toggle actuator is in a first position. When the toggleactuator is operated, the IR beam may be obstructed, such that receptionof the IR beam by the IR receiver is interrupted. The IR receiver maygenerate a control signal that is representative of whether the IR beamis received, and thus representative of the position of the toggleactuator. The control signal may comprise an indication of when thetoggle actuator is operated.

The faceplate remote control device may include a control circuit and awireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured tocause the wireless communication circuit to transmit one or moremessages in response to detecting operation of the toggle actuator ofthe mechanical switch. The one or more messages may be transmitted toone or more devices, such as a load control device, that are associatedwith the faceplate remote control device in a lighting control system.The one or more messages may include a command, such as a command thatcauses a load control device that is associated with the faceplateremote control device to adjust the intensity of a lighting load that iscontrolled by the load control device. The one or more messages mayinclude, for example, a change of state signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art lighting control system.

FIG. 2 depicts an example lighting control system that includes anexample faceplate remote control device.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an example faceplate remote controldevice.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the example faceplate remotecontrol device depicted in FIG. 3A.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective views of another example faceplateremote control device.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example faceplate remotecontrol device.

FIG. 6 depicts another example lighting control system that includesanother example faceplate remote control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 depicts an example load control system that is configured as alighting control system 100. The lighting control system 100 may includevarious components that are associated with each other, and that areconfigured to communicate with one another, for instance via wirelesscommunication. The components of the lighting control system 100 mayinclude, for example one or more load control devices, one or moreelectrical loads that are controlled via the one or more load controldevices, one or more control devices (e.g., remote control devices) thatare configured to control the load control devices, and/or one or moresensors that are configured to provide inputs (e.g., sensor readings) tothe one or more load control devices.

As shown, the lighting control system 100 includes a controllable lightsource 110 and a faceplate remote control device 120 that may beconfigured to control the controllable light source 110. Thecontrollable light source 110 may include an integral lighting load (notshown) and an integral load regulation circuit (not shown). Thecontrollable light source 110 and the faceplate remote control device120 may include respective wireless communication circuits. For example,the controllable light source 110 may include a radio-frequency (RF)transmitter, and the faceplate remote control device 120 may include anRF transceiver. The faceplate remote control device 120 and thecontrollable light source 110 may be associated with one another, forexample during a configuration procedure of the lighting control system100, such that the controllable light source 110 may be configured torespond to one or more messages transmitted by the faceplate remotecontrol device 120.

As shown, the controllable light source 110 may be installed in a tablelamp 112. The table lamp 112 may be plugged into a first electricaloutlet 114 that has an upper switched receptacle 111 and a lowerunswitched receptacle 113. The lower unswitched receptacle 113 may bedirectly coupled to an AC power source 102, and the upper switchedreceptacle 111 may be coupled to the AC power source 102 through astandard wall-mounted mechanical switch 104 (e.g., a toggle switch or astandard light switch). The mechanical switch 104 may include a toggleactuator 106. The mechanical switch 104 may be opened and closed inresponse to actuations of (e.g., operation of) the toggle actuator 106.The mechanical switch 104 may comprise, for example, a maintainedsingle-pole mechanical switch. The table lamp 112 may be plugged intothe lower unswitched receptacle 113 of the electrical outlet 114, suchthat the controllable light source 110 may be continuously powered fromthe AC power source 102. The faceplate remote control device 120 may beoperated to control the controllable light source 110, without the needto plug the table lamp 112 into the upper switched receptacle 111 of theelectrical outlet 114.

The faceplate remote control device 120 may be configured to be attachedto (e.g., mounted to) the mechanical switch 104. For example, thefaceplate remote control device 120 may be attached to the mechanicalswitch 104 in place of a standard faceplate or wall plate. In thisregard, the faceplate remote control device 120 may replace a standardfaceplate or wall plate that was previously attached to the mechanicalswitch 104. The faceplate remote control device 120 may define anopening 122 through which the toggle actuator 106 of the mechanicalswitch 104 may protrude. As shown, the opening 122 may be configured topermit the toggle actuator 106 to protrude through the opening 122 suchthat the toggle actuator 106 is operable, for example by a user of thelighting control system 100, and in particular a user of the faceplateremote control device 120.

As shown, the controllable light source 110 includes a housing 115(e.g., a glass housing) that defines a front surface 116. The integrallighting load may be located within the housing 115 (e.g., surrounded bythe housing 115), and may be configured such that light generated by theintegral lighting load shines out of the front surface 116 and/or thesides of the housing 115. The front surface 116 of the housing 115 maybe transparent or translucent, and may be dome shaped as shown, or flat.The integral lighting load of the controllable light source 110 maycomprise, for example, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a compactfluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode (LED) light engine, or othersuitable light source.

The illustrated controllable light source 110 may also include anenclosure portion 118 to which the housing 115 may be attached, and ascrew-in base (not shown) that may be attached to the enclosure portion118. The screw-in base may be configured to be screwed into a standardEdison socket, such that the controllable light source 110 is placed inelectrical communication with (e.g., is electrically connected to) theAC power source 102. Examples of screw-in luminaires are described ingreater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,008,866, issued Aug.30, 2011, entitled “Hybrid Light Source,” U.S. patent applicationpublication no. 2012/0286689, published Nov. 15, 2012, entitled“Dimmable Screw-In Compact Fluorescent Lamp Having Integral ElectronicBallast Circuit,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/829,834, filedMar. 14, 2013, entitled “Controllable Light Source,” the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The integral load regulation circuit of the controllable light source110 may be located within (e.g., housed inside) the enclosure portion118. The integral load regulation circuit may comprise, for example, adimmer circuit, a ballast circuit, or an LED driver circuit, forcontrolling the intensity of the integral lighting load between alow-end intensity (e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity(e.g., approximately 100%). The controllable light source 110 mayfurther include a control circuit (e.g., a microprocessor) and awireless communication circuit (e.g., comprising an RF receiver) thatmay be housed inside the enclosure portion 118. The control circuit maybe configured to control the integral lighting load (e.g., via theintegral load regulation circuit) in response to one or more messagesthat are received by the wireless communication circuit (e.g., via RFsignals 108), such as messages received from the faceplate remotecontrol device 120.

The faceplate remote control device 120 may be configured to operate asa state change device. For example, the faceplate remote control device120 may be configured to transmit one or more messages (e.g., digitalmessages) via wireless communication (e.g., via RF signals 108) inresponse to actuations of the toggle actuator 106 of the mechanicalswitch 104. The one or more messages may be indicative of a change ofstate within the lighting control system 100. For example, one or moremessages may be indicative of a change of state of the toggle actuator106 of the mechanical switch 104. Such messages may be referred to aschange of state messages, or as change of state signals, and may beinterpreted by one or more devices that are associated with thefaceplate remote control device 120, such as the controllable lightsource 110, as indications (e.g., commands) to turn on, turn off, dim,etc. respective lighting loads. For example, the controllable lightsource 110 may cause the integral lighting load to turn on or off, ormay cause the integral load regulation circuit to adjust an intensity ofthe integral lighting load, in response to the receipt of one or moremessages transmitted by the faceplate remote control device 120 (e.g.,via RF signals 108). The one or more messages may be transmitted by thefaceplate remote control device 120 in response to operation of thetoggle actuator 106 of the mechanical switch 104.

The lighting control system 100 may further include another load controldevice. For example, as shown, the lighting control system 100 furtherincludes a plug-in load control device 130. The plug-in load controldevice 130 is plugged into a second electrical outlet 136 that has twounswitched receptacles that are in electrical communication with the ACpower source 102. The lighting control system 100 further includes afloor lamp 132. A standard light bulb 134 is installed in the floor lamp132. The floor lamp 132 is plugged into the plug-in load control device130, such that the plug-in load control device 130 may be operated toadjust the intensity of the light bulb 134 between a low end intensity(e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately100%).

The plug-in load control device 130 may be associated with, and may becontrolled by, the faceplate remote control device 120. For example, theplug-in load control device 130 may cause the light bulb 134 to turn onor off, or may adjust an intensity of the light bulb 134, in response tothe receipt of one or more messages transmitted by the faceplate remotecontrol device 120 (e.g., via RF signals 108). This may allow theintensity of the light bulb 134 to be synchronized with that of thecontrollable light source 110, for example. The plug-in load controldevice 130 may include one or more buttons (not shown) that areconfigured to provide local control of the plug-in load control device130, for example to allow adjustment of the intensity of the light bulb134. Alternatively, the plug-in load control device 130 may be atabletop load control device or a wall-mounted dimmer switch.

The lighting control system 100 may further include a battery-poweredhandheld remote control device 140 that includes a plurality of buttons142. The handheld remote control device 140 may be configured to bemounted vertically to a wall, or to be supported on a pedestal that maybe mounted on a tabletop. The handheld remote control device 140 maytransmit one or more messages (e.g., via RF signals 108) in response tooperation of one or more of the buttons 142. Examples of battery poweredremote control devices are described in greater detail in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,573,208, issued Aug. 22, 2009, entitled “MethodOf Programming A Lighting Preset From A Radio-Frequency Remote Control,”and U.S. Pat. No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012, entitled “WirelessBattery Powered Remote Control Having Multiple Mounting Means,” theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

One or both of the controllable light source 110 and the plug-in loadcontrol device 130 may be configured to control the intensities ofcorresponding lighting loads (e.g., the integral lighting load and thelight bulb 134, respectively) in response to one or more messagesreceived by the controllable light source 110 and the plug-in loadcontrol device 130, for instance via RF signals 108. Because the tablelamp 112 is plugged into the lower unswitched receptacle 113 of theelectrical outlet 114 as shown in FIG. 2, the controllable light source110 may adjust the intensity of the integral lighting load independentof the position of the mechanical switch 104. Accordingly, the state ofthe controllable light source 110 (e.g., on or off) may be independentof a current position (e.g., closed or open) of the mechanical switch104.

The lighting control system 100 may further include one or moreoccupancy sensors 150 that are configured to detect occupancy and/orvacancy conditions in a space in which the lighting control system 100is installed. Such an occupancy sensor 150 may transmit one or moremessages (e.g., via RF signals 108) to the controllable light source 110and/or to the plug-in load control device 130, in response to detectingthe occupancy and/or vacancy conditions. Alternatively, the occupancysensor 150 may operate as a vacancy sensor to turn off one or morelighting loads in response to detecting a vacancy condition (e.g., tonot turn on the one or more lighting loads in response to detecting anoccupancy condition). Examples of RF load control systems havingoccupancy and vacancy sensors are described in greater detail incommonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011 Sep. 3,2008, entitled “Radio Frequency Lighting Control System With OccupancySensing,” U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issued Jun. 12, 2012, entitled“Method And Apparatus For Configuring A Wireless Sensor,” and U.S. Pat.No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012, entitled “Battery Powered OccupancySensor,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

The lighting control system 100 may further include one or more remotedaylight sensors 160 that are configured to measure a total lightintensity in a space in which the lighting control system 100 isinstalled. Such a daylight sensor 160 may transmit one or more messages(e.g., via RF signals 108) to the controllable light source 110 and/orto the plug-in load control device 130. The one or more messages mayinclude a measured light intensity, and may cause the controllable lightsource 110 and/or the plug-in load control device 130 to adjust theintensities of corresponding lighting loads (e.g., the integral lightingload and the light bulb 134, respectively) in response to the measuredlight intensity. Examples of RF load control systems having daylightsensors are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat.No. 8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled “Method Of Calibrating ADaylight Sensor,” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013,entitled “Wireless Battery-Powered Daylight Sensor,” the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with the illustrated lighting control system 100, thefaceplate remote control device 120, the handheld remote control device140, the occupancy sensor 150, and the daylight sensor 160 may operateas control-source devices (e.g., RF transmitters), and the controllablelight source 110 and the plug-in load control device 130 may operate ascontrol-target devices (e.g., RF receivers). It should be appreciated,however, that one or more of the control devices of the lighting controlsystem 100 (e.g., all of the control devices) may comprise an RFtransceiver, such that the control devices may be configured to bothtransmit and receive RF signals 108. Examples of RF load control systemsare described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued onMay 18, 1999, entitled “Method And Apparatus For Controlling AndDetermining The Status Of Electrical Devices From Remote Locations,” andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/033,223, filed Feb. 19, 2008,entitled “Communication Protocol For A Radio Frequency Load ControlSystem,” the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

One of the load control devices (e.g., the controllable light source 110or the plug-in load control device 130) may be configured to operate asa control entity, such as a master device, within the lighting controlsystem 100. The master device may operate to at least partially controlfunctionality of the other load control devices of the lighting controlsystem 100. The other load control devices of the lighting controlsystem 100 may be configured to assume subservient roles to the masterdevice (e.g., to operate as “slave” devices), such that the subservientdevices will perform commands issued by the master device. It should beappreciated that if the lighting control system 100 includes only oneload control device, the lighting control system 100 may not include amaster device. One of the load control devices may be designated as themaster device, for example by a user of the lighting control system 100.Alternatively, one of the load control devices may assume the role ofthe master device. For example, upon association with the lightingcontrol system 100, a load control device may poll the other loadcontrol devices of the load control system, for example via broadcast,to determine if the lighting control system 100 currently has a masterdevice. If the polling load control device does not receive an answerthat another device of the lighting control system 100 is the masterdevice, the polling load control device may assume the role of themaster device in the lighting control system 100.

The master device may be configured to observe and/or record presentstate information pertaining to one or more subservient load controldevices of the lighting control system 100. In an illustrative example,with reference to the lighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 2, theplug-in load control device 130 may assume the role of the masterdevice, and the controllable light source 110 may assume a subservientrole to the plug-in load control device 130, such that the plug-in loadcontrol device 130 is able to at least partially control operation ofthe controllable light source 110. The plug-in load control device 130may observe and/or record present state information, for example lastknown state information, pertaining to the controllable light source 110(e.g., whether the integral lighting load of the controllable lightsource 110 is on or off).

The plug-in load control device 130, in the role of the master device inthe lighting control system 100, may be configured such that if at leastone lighting load, for example the light bulb 134 or the integrallighting load of the controllable light source 110, is in an on statewhen the faceplate remote control device 120 transmits one or morechange of state messages, the plug-in load control device 130 may causeone or more other lighting loads of the lighting control system 100(e.g., each of the other lighting loads) to be operated from the onstate to the off state, or left in the off state. For example, if thelight bulb 134 is off and the integral lighting load of the controllablelight source 110 is on when the toggle actuator 106 is operated, thefaceplate remote control device 120 may transmit one or more change ofstate messages (e.g., via RF signals 108) that may be received by thecontrollable light source 110 and the plug-in load control device 130.The controllable light source 110 may ignore the one or more change ofstate messages from the faceplate remote control device 120, for examplein accordance with the subservient role the controllable light source110 has with respect to the plug-in load control device 130. When theone or more change of state messages are received by the plug-in loadcontrol device 130, the plug-in load control device 130 may not changethe state of the light bulb 134, and may forward the one or more changeof state messages to the controllable light source 110. Alternatively,the plug-in load control device 130 may reference the last known stateinformation pertaining to the controllable light source 110, and maytransmit an appropriate message (e.g., a command) to the controllablelight source 110, for example a command that causes the controllablelight source 110 to turn the integral lighting load off. Thecontrollable light source 110, upon receipt of the forwarded change ofmessage or the command, may change the state of the integral lightingload from on to off.

Alternatively, the plug-in load control device 130, in the role of themaster device in the lighting control system 100, may be configured tomaintain synchronization of the lighting loads of the lighting controlsystem 100. For example, if the state of the light bulb 134 is changedlocally at the plug-in load control device 130, the plug-in load controldevice 130 may transmit one or more messages (e.g., including a command)to the controllable light source 110 that cause the controllable lightsource 110 to change the state of the integral lighting load, thuskeeping the states of the lighting loads of the lighting control system100 synchronized to one another. If the state of the integral lightingload is changed locally at the controllable light source 110, theplug-in load control device 130 may change the state of the light bulb134, thus keeping the states of the lighting loads of the lightingcontrol system 100 synchronized to one another.

When the toggle actuator 106 of the mechanical switch 104 is actuated,the faceplate remote control device 120 may transmit one or more changeof state messages that may be received by the controllable light source110 and/or by the plug-in load control device 130. The controllablelight source 110 may ignore the one or more change of state messagesfrom the faceplate remote control device 120, for example in accordancewith the subservient role the controllable light source 110 has withrespect to the plug-in load control device 130. When the one or morechange of state messages are received by the plug-in load control device130, the plug-in load control device 130 may change the state of thelight bulb 134, for example from on to off or from off to on, and mayforward the one or more change of state messages to the controllablelight source 110. Alternatively, the plug-in load control device 130 maytransmit one or more messages (e.g., including a command) to thecontrollable light source 110, for example to cause the controllablelight source 110 to turn the integral lighting load on or off. Thecontrollable light source 110, upon receipt of the forwarded change ofmessage or the one or more command messages, may change the state of theintegral lighting load, for example from on to off or from off to on,such that synchronization of the lighting loads of the lighting controlsystem 100 is maintained.

The role of the master device in a load control system in which thefaceplate remote control device 120 is deployed, for instance thelighting control system 100, need not be fulfilled by a load controldevice of the load control system, such as the controllable light source110 or the plug-in load control device 130. Such a load control systemmay include another device that is configured to fulfill the role ofmaster device, for example a central controller, a main repeater, or thelike. In such a configuration, one or more load control devices of theload control system, for example the controllable light source 110 andthe plug-in load control device 130 of the lighting control system 100,may be configured to assume subservient roles to the master device, andthe master device may be configured to observe and/or record presentstate information pertaining to the subservient load control devices ofthe load control system. The subservient load control devices may beconfigured to ignore change of state messages transmitted by thefaceplate remote control device 120, and the master device may beconfigured to forward change of state messages received from thefaceplate remote control device 120 to one or more of subservient loadcontrol devices, or may, upon receipt of one or more change of statemessages from the faceplate remote control device 120, transmitappropriate command messages to one or more of subservient load controldevices.

A load control system in which the faceplate remote control device 120is deployed, for instance the lighting control system 100, need notinclude a central control entity, such as a master device. One or moreload control devices that are associated with the lighting controlsystem 100, such as the controllable light source 110 and/or the plug-inload control device 130, may be configured to be aware of present stateinformation pertaining to one or more other load control devices of thelighting control system 100. For example, the controllable light source110 may be configured to be aware of whether the light bulb 134controlled by the plug-in load control device 130 is on or off.Similarly, the plug-in load control device 130 may be configured to beaware of whether the integral lighting load of the controllable lightsource 110 is on or off. In such a configuration, the controllable lightsource 110 and the plug-in load control device 130 may operate to ensurethat the lighting loads of the lighting control system 100 are keptsynchronized with one another, for example responsive to one or morechange of state messages that are transmitted by the faceplate remotecontrol device 120.

Alternative examples of state change devices are described in greaterdetail in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/830,102,filed Mar. 14, 2013, entitled “State Change Devices For SwitchedElectrical Receptacles,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict an example faceplate remote control device 200.The faceplate remote control device 200 may be implemented, for example,as the faceplate remote control device 120 of the lighting controlsystem 100 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3B is a simplified left sidecross-sectional view of the example faceplate remote control device 200,taken through the center of the faceplate remote control device 200. Thefaceplate remote control device 200 includes a housing 211 that isconfigured to be attached to (e.g., mounted to) a wall-mountedmechanical switch, such as a standard wall-mounted light switch. Asshown, the faceplate remote control device 200 includes a two-parthousing 211 that includes an adapter plate 212 that is configured to bemounted to a light switch (e.g., to a yoke of the light switch), and afront plate 210 that is adapted to be attached (e.g., semi-permanentlyattached) to the adapter plate 212. In an example configuration, thefront plate 210 and the adapter plate 212 may define respectiveattachment members that allow the front plate 210 to be secured to theadapter plate 212. For example, the front plate 210 may define one ormore resilient snap-fit connectors (not shown) that are designed toreleasably engage within one or more complementary recesses (not shown)that are defined by the adapter plate 212. It should be appreciated thatthe front plate 210 and/or the adapter plate 212 may be otherwiseconfigured to be attachable to one another. It should further beappreciated that the faceplate remote control device 200 is not limitedto the illustrated two-part housing 211, and that the housing of thefaceplate remote control device 200 may be alternatively configured, forinstance as a one part housing. For example, the faceplate remotecontrol device 200 may include a differently configured front plate (notshown) that defines one or more openings that are configured to receivefasteners (e.g., screws) so as to mount the faceplate remote controldevice 200 to a standard light switch.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the faceplate remote control device 200 maybe configured to be mounted to a standard wall-mounted mechanical switch204 (e.g., the mechanical switch 104 of the lighting control system 100shown in FIG. 2). The faceplate remote control device 200 may beconfigured to maintain free operation of a toggle actuator 206 of themechanical switch 204 when the faceplate remote control device 200 isattached to the mechanical switch 204. For example, as shown, thehousing 211 defines an opening 214. In accordance with the illustratedfaceplate remote control device 200, the opening 214 is defined by theadapter plate 212 and the front plate 210. The opening 214 may beconfigured to permit the toggle actuator 206 of the mechanical switch204 to protrude through the opening 214 such that the toggle actuator206 is operable, for example between respective first and secondpositions that correspond to open and closed positions of the mechanicalswitch 204. The mechanical switch 204 may include a yoke 208 that allowsthe mechanical switch 204 to be mounted to a standard electricalwallbox, for instance using one or more mounting screws (not shown). Theadapter plate 212 of the faceplate remote control device 200 may beconfigured to attach to the yoke 208 of the mechanical switch 204, forexample via one or more attachment screws (not shown).

The faceplate remote control device 200 may include a toggle indicator220 that is configured to move along with the toggle actuator 206. Thetoggle indicator 220 may be configured to generate one or moreindications, for instance in response to operation of the toggleactuator 206. As shown, the faceplate remote control device 200 includesa toggle indicator that is implemented as a sliding member 221. Thesliding member 221 may be configured to move along with the toggleactuator 206 when the toggle actuator 206 is operated.

As shown, the sliding member 221 may include a plate shaped body thatdefines a first end 219 that may be referred to as an upper end of thebody, and an opposed second end 223 that is spaced from the first end219, and that may be referred to as a lower end of the body. The body ofthe sliding member 221 may define a length, for example as defined fromthe first end 219 to the second end 223, such that the sliding member221 at least partially covers the opening 214 as the toggle actuator isoperated. For example, the sliding member 221 may be configured suchthat when the toggle actuator 206 is positioned in a first position thatcorresponds to a first limit of its travel (e.g., a fully up position asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B), the second end 223 of the body is disposedbelow a lower edge of the opening 214, and such that when the toggleactuator 206 is positioned in a second position that corresponds to asecond limit of its travel (e.g., a fully down position), the first end219 of the body is disposed above an upper edge of the opening 214.

The sliding member 221 may be configured to captively attach to thetoggle actuator 206 of the mechanical switch 204, such that the slidingmember 221 moves along with the toggle actuator 206 when the toggleactuator 206 is operated. For example, as shown, the sliding member maydefine an aperture 222 that is configured to surround a portion of thetoggle actuator 206, such as an outer perimeter of the toggle actuator206. The housing 211 may define a cavity 213 within which the slidingmember 221 may move relative to the housing 211 when the toggle actuator206 is operated. In accordance with the illustrated faceplate remotecontrol device 200, the cavity 213 is defined by the front plate 210 ofthe housing 211.

As shown, the sliding member 221 may be positioned adjacent to a rearsurface of the front plate 210 when disposed in the cavity 213 (e.g., asshown in FIG. 3B). The sliding member 221 may be oriented in a planethat is parallel to an inner surface of the front plate 210, and may beconfigured to move along a longitudinal direction relative to thefaceplate remote control device 200 (e.g., in an up and down withrespect to the orientation of the faceplate remote control device 200 asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). As shown, the sliding member 221 may beconfigured such that the aperture 222 surrounds a portion of theexterior of the toggle actuator 206. The aperture 222 may be sized to beslightly larger than corresponding peripheral dimensions of thesurrounded portion of the toggle actuator 206, such that the slidingmember 221 moves with the toggle actuator 206 (e.g., along thelongitudinal direction) as the toggle actuator 206 is operated.

The faceplate remote control device 200 may also include a printedcircuit board (PCB) 230 that may be housed inside the front plate 210,for example disposed in the cavity 213. Electrical circuitry of thefaceplate remote control device 200 may be mounted to the printedcircuit board 230, and may include a control circuit, such as amicroprocessor 232. The sliding member 221 may include a wiper 224 thatmay be operable to contact (e.g., to abut) a front surface of theprinted circuit board 230 when the toggle actuator is in a firstposition (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3B). The wiper 224 may be electricallyconductive, and may contact one or more conductive pads and/or surfacesof the printed circuit board 230, for example in accordance with astandard potentiometer configuration.

As the toggle actuator 206 of the mechanical switch 204 is operated, thesliding member 221 may move concurrently with the toggle actuator 206,along the longitudinal direction, which may cause the wiper 224 to moveacross a corresponding front surface 231 of the printed circuit board230. For example, the front surface 231 of the printed circuit board 230may include a conductive pad 234 that is communicatively coupled to(e.g., configured to transmit electrical signals to) the microprocessor232. When the toggle actuator 206 is in a first position (e.g., as shownin FIGS. 3A and 3B), the wiper 224 may be electrically coupled to theconductive pad 234, and may generate a signal to the microprocessor 232that the toggle actuator 206 is in the first position. In this regard,the sliding member 221 may be configured to cause the generation of afirst indication when the toggle actuator 206 is operated into, and/orremains in, the first position.

When the toggle actuator 206 is operated to a second position, whereinthe sliding member 221 moves along the longitudinal direction such thatthe wiper 224 is no longer electrically coupled to the conductive pad234, the microprocessor 232 may be configured to determine that thetoggle actuator 206 is no longer in the first position. The secondposition may correspond, for example, to a down position of the toggleactuator 206, or to an intermediate position between the up and downpositions. In this regard, the sliding member 221 may be configured tocause the generation of a second indication when the toggle actuator 206is operated out of the first position, or when the toggle actuator 206is operated into the second position.

It should be appreciated that the printed circuit board 230 is notlimited to the illustrated configuration having a single conductive pad234. For example, the front surface 231 of the printed circuit board 203may alternatively include two or more conductive pads 234, such that thewiper 224 may be electrically coupled to successive conductive pads 234as the toggle actuator 206 is operated. In accordance with such aconfiguration, the microprocessor 232 may be configured to determine oneor more intermediate or incremental positions of the toggle actuator 206(e.g., between the up and down positions) as the toggle actuator 206 isoperated. The faceplate remote control device 200 may alternativelyinclude one or more mechanical tactile switches (not shown) that may bemounted to the printed circuit board 230 (e.g., to the front surface231), and that may be actuated by the sliding member 221 when the toggleactuator 206 is in the up position or the down position.

The illustrated faceplate remote control device 200 may also include awireless communication circuit 236. The wireless communication circuit236 may include, for example, an RF transmitter integrated circuit thatis mounted to printed circuit board 230, and an antenna (not shown). Theantenna may comprise, for example, a loop antenna that is displaced onthe printed circuit board 230. The microprocessor 232 may be configuredto cause the wireless communication circuit 236 to transmit one or moremessages (e.g., state change messages), for instance in response tooperation of the toggle actuator 206. For example, a load control devicethat is associated with the faceplate remote control device 200 may beoperable to control a corresponding electrical load (e.g., a lightingload) in response to one or more messages transmitted by the faceplateremote control device 200.

The microprocessor 232 may be configured to detect one or morepredetermined patterns of operation of the toggle actuator 206. Forexample, the microprocessor 232 may be configured to detect one or morepredetermined patterns of operation that comprise sequences of togglesof the toggle actuator 206. A sequence of toggles of the toggle actuator206 may comprise, for example, operating the toggle actuator 206 apredetermined number of times between the first and second positions,between the first position and an intermediate position, between thesecond position and an intermediate position, between respective firstand second intermediate positions, or the like. A sequence of toggles ofthe toggle actuator 206 may include one or more temporal components. Forexample, an amount of time during which the toggle actuator 206 is leftin particular position (e.g., the first and/or second positions) maydistinguish a first sequence of toggles from a second sequence oftoggles. One or more predetermined patterns of operation of the toggleactuator 206 may be configured, for example, by a user of the faceplateremote control device 200.

Such predetermined patterns of operation of the toggle actuator 206 maybe associated with desired functionality of one or more devices that areassociated with the faceplate remote control device 200 in a lightingcontrol system. For example, one or more predetermined patterns ofoperation of the toggle actuator 206 may be associated with theselection of corresponding lighting presets (e.g., lighting scenes) by auser of the faceplate remote control device 200. To illustrate, a firstpredetermined sequence of toggles of the toggle actuator 206 may be usedto select a first preset, a second predetermined sequence of toggles ofthe toggle actuator 206 may be used to select a second preset, and soon. In another example, one or more predetermined patterns of operationof the toggle actuator 206 may be associated with the selection of afade rate of a lighting load by the user of the faceplate remote controldevice 200. To illustrate, a first predetermined sequence of toggles ofthe toggle actuator 206 may be used to cause a lighting load to quicklyturn on to full intensity, and a second predetermined sequence oftoggles of the toggle actuator 206 may cause the lighting load to slowlyfade to a lowest intensity (e.g., to off). Upon detecting apredetermined pattern of operation of the toggle actuator 206 that isassociated with a selected lighting preset or a selected fade rate, themicroprocessor 232 may cause the wireless communication circuit 236 totransmit one or more messages to one or more devices that are associatedwith the faceplate remote control device 200. The one or messages mayinclude, for example, commands that cause one or more load controldevices that are associated with the faceplate remote control device 200to adjust the intensities of corresponding lighting loads in accordancewith the selected lighting preset or fade rate.

As shown, the faceplate remote control device 200 further includes aprogramming button 240, which is mechanically coupled to a tactileswitch 242 that is mounted to a rear surface 233 of the printed circuitboard 230. One or more devices, such as a load control device, may beassociated with the faceplate remote control device 200, for example inresponse to actuations of a button on the load control device and theprogramming button 240 of the faceplate remote control device 200. Inthis regard, the programming button 240 may be operated to initiate aprocess to associate the faceplate remote control device 200 with one ormore devices, for instance one or more devices of a load control system,such as a lighting control system.

The faceplate remote control device 200 may further include a powersource. The power source may include, for example, an energy storagedevice such as a coin cell battery 244. The faceplate remote controldevice 200 may further include a battery holder 246 that is configuredto secure the battery 244 in position relative to the faceplate remotecontrol device 200. As shown, the faceplate remote control device 200may include a battery holder 246 that is located in the front plate 210.When disposed in the battery holder 246, the battery 244 may beelectrically coupled to the printed circuit board 230, and may providepower to the microprocessor 232 and/or to the wireless communicationscircuit 236.

The faceplate remote control device 200 may include one or more otherpower sources, for instance in addition to, or in lieu of, the battery244. For example, the faceplate remote control device 200 may include asolar cell or photovoltaic coating, such as a photovoltaic film, (notshown) that may be displaced on (e.g., attached to) one or more surfaces(e.g., exterior surfaces) of the housing 211 of the faceplate remotecontrol device 200, such as on a front surface of the front plate 210.The photovoltaic coating may configured, for example, to charge thebattery 244 or another energy storage device, such as a capacitor,and/or to directly power the microprocessor 232 and/or the wirelesscommunication circuit 236. In another example, the faceplate remotecontrol device 200 may include a kinetic power source (not shown) thatis configured to power the microprocessor 232 and/or the wirelesscommunication circuit 236. The kinetic power source may be configured toderive power from, for example, movements of the toggle actuator 206.

The faceplate remote control device 200 may define a user interface. Theuser interface may be configured to receive one or more inputs from auser of the faceplate remote control device 200. Such inputs may, forexample, cause the faceplate remote control device 200 to issue commandsto one or more devices that are associated with the faceplate remotecontrol device 200. As shown in FIG. 3A, the faceplate remote controldevice 200 defines a user interface that may include one or morebuttons, such as buttons 250, 252. The buttons 250, 252 may beconfigured to, upon actuation, cause the wireless communication circuit236 to transmit one or more messages. The one or more messages mayinclude, for example, one or more commands directed to one or moredevices (e.g., load control devices such as lighting control devices)that are associated with the faceplate remote control device 200. Suchmessages may be referred to as command messages.

The one or more command messages may provide advanced control of alighting load that is controlled by the load control device. Toillustrate, in a lighting control system in which the faceplate remotecontrol device 200 is associated with the controllable light source 110,one or more command messages transmitted in response to operation of oneor more of the buttons 250, 252 may cause the integral load regulationcircuit of the controllable light source 110 to raise and/or lower theintensity of the integral lighting load. In accordance with analternative configuration of the faceplate remote control device 200,the buttons 250, 252 may be configured to cause the selection ofassociated lighting scenes or lighting presets of the lighting controlsystem 100. The buttons 250, 252 may be mechanically coupled tocorresponding mechanical tactile switches (not shown) that may bemounted to the printed circuit board 230. It should be appreciated thatthe user interface of the faceplate remote control device 200 is notlimited to the illustrated mechanical buttons 250, 252. In analternative configuration, the faceplate remote control device 200 mayinclude a capacitive or resistive touch display (not shown), and theuser interface may include one or more graphical representations ofcontrols (e.g., soft buttons) exhibited (e.g., displayed) on the touchdisplay.

As shown, the faceplate remote control device 200 may further include avisual display, such as a linear array of visual indicators 260 that maybe illuminated to provide feedback, for instance feedback related to anintensity of a lighting load that is controlled by a load control thatis associated with the faceplate remote control device 200. The visualindicators 260 of the linear array may be illuminated, for example, bylight-emitting diodes (not shown) that are mounted on the printedcircuit board 230. Circuits for efficiently illuminating one or morelight-emitting diodes are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. patent application publication no. 2012/0286940,published Nov. 12, 2012, entitled “Control Device Having A Nightlight,”the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Inan alternative configuration, the visual indicators of the faceplateremote control device 200 may be displayed on a capacitive or resistivetouch display (not shown), such as a display that exhibits one or moresoft buttons of a user interface of the faceplate remote control device200.

The faceplate remote control device 200 may further include a sensingdevice 270 that is configured to provide automated control of a lightingload that is controlled by a load control device that is associated withthe faceplate remote control device 200. The sensing device 270 may bemounted to the printed circuit board 230, for example, and themicroprocessor 232 may be configured to cause the wireless communicationcircuit 236 to transmit one or more messages to the load control devicein response to the sensing device 270. For example, the sensing device270 may be an occupancy or vacancy sensing device, such that themicroprocessor 232 may be configured to cause one or more messages to betransmitted to the load control device in response to the sensing device270 detecting an occupancy or vacancy condition in a space around thefaceplate remote control device 200. The sensing device 270 maycomprise, for example, a passive infrared (PIR) detector that isoperable to receive infrared energy through a lens 272 located in thefront plate 210 of the housing 211 of the faceplate remote controldevice 200. Alternatively, the sensing device 270 may comprise anultrasonic detector, a microwave detector, or any combination of passiveinfrared, ultrasonic, and/or microwave detectors. The load controldevice may turn the controlled lighting load on and off in response tothe sensing device 270 of the faceplate remote control device 200detecting occupancy and/or vacancy conditions, for example in a similarmanner as the controllable light source 110 and/or the plug-in loadcontrol device 130 operate in response to messages received form theoccupancy sensor 150, as described herein.

The sensing device 270 may alternatively comprise a daylight sensingdevice that is configured to measure a light level in a spacesurrounding the faceplate remote control device 200. The microprocessor232 may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit 236 totransmit one or more messages, for example including one or more lightlevel measurements, to a load control device that is associated with thefaceplate remote control device 200. The one or more messages may bereceived by the load control device, and the load control device,responsive to receipt of the one or more messages, may adjust anintensity of a corresponding lighting load that is controlled by theload control device. The sensing device 270 may alternatively comprise atemperature sensing device that is configured to measure a temperatureof a space surrounding the faceplate remote control device 200. Itshould be appreciated that the faceplate remote control device 200 mayinclude other types of sensing devices, or any combination of occupancyor vacancy sensing devices, daylight sensing devices, and/or temperaturesensing devices.

It should be appreciated that while the faceplate remote control device200 is illustrated in accordance with a single-gang configuration inFIGS. 3A and 3B, that the faceplate remote control device 200 mayalternatively be configured in accordance with a multi-gang faceplatestructure. For example, the faceplate remote control device mayalternatively be configured to include two openings for receivingrespective toggle actuators of two mechanical switches. In accordancewith such a configuration, the faceplate remote control device may beconfigured to determine the respective positions of each toggleactuator, and to transmit one or more wireless messages in response tothe positions of one or both of the toggle actuators. Alternatively,such a configuration of the faceplate remote control device may beconfigured to determine the position of a single one of the toggleactuators.

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict another example faceplate remote control device300. The faceplate remote control device 300 may be implemented, forexample, as the faceplate remote control device 120 of the lightingcontrol system 100 shown in FIG. 2. The faceplate remote control device300 includes a housing 311 that is configured to be attached to (e.g.,mounted to) a wall-mounted mechanical switch, such as a standardwall-mounted light switch. As shown, the faceplate remote control device300 includes a two-part housing 311 that includes an adapter plate 312that is configured to be mounted to a light switch (e.g., to a yoke ofthe light switch), and a front plate 310 that is adapted to be attached(e.g., semi-permanently attached) to the adapter plate 312. In anexample configuration, the front plate 310 and the adapter plate 312 maydefine respective attachment members that allow the front plate 310 tobe secured to the adapter plate 312. For example, the front plate 310may define one or more resilient snap-fit connectors (not shown) thatare designed to releasably engage within one or more complementaryrecesses (not shown) that are defined by the adapter plate 312. Itshould be appreciated that the front plate 310 and/or the adapter plate312 may be otherwise configured to be attachable to one another.

The faceplate remote control device 300 may be configured to be mountedto a standard wall-mounted mechanical switch (e.g., the mechanicalswitch 104 of the lighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 2). Thefaceplate remote control device 300 may be configured to maintain freeoperation of a toggle actuator 306 of the mechanical switch when thefaceplate remote control device 300 is attached to the mechanicalswitch. For example, as shown, the housing 311 defines an opening 314.The opening 314 may be configured to permit the toggle actuator 306 ofthe mechanical switch to protrude through the opening 314 such that thetoggle actuator 306 is operable, for example between respective firstand second positions that correspond to open and closed positions of themechanical switch. The mechanical switch may include a yoke that allowsthe mechanical switch to be mounted to a standard electrical wallbox,for instance using one or more mounting screws (not shown). The adapterplate 312 of the faceplate remote control device 300 may be configuredto attach to the yoke of the mechanical switch, for example via one ormore attachment screws (not shown).

The faceplate remote control device 300 may include a toggle indicatorthat is configured to generate one or more indications, for instance inresponse to operation of the toggle actuator 306. As shown, thefaceplate remote control device 300 includes a toggle indicator that isimplemented as an obstruction detection device comprising an infrared(IR) transmitter 320 and an IR receiver 322. The IR transmitter 320 andthe IR receiver 322 may be disposed on opposed sides of the opening 314,for instance mounted inside the front plate 310 on opposite sides of theopening 314. As shown, the IR transmitter 320 may be disposed near afirst side of the opening 314, and the IR receiver 322 may be disposednear a second side of the opening 314 that is opposite the first side ofthe opening 314.

The IR transmitter 320 may be configured to emit an IR beam 324, and theIR receiver 322 may be configured to receive the IR beam 324, when thetoggle actuator 306 is in a first position, such as an up position asshown in FIG. 4A. When the toggle actuator 306 is operated into a secondposition, such as a down position of the toggle actuator 306, the IRbeam 324 may be obstructed, such that reception of the IR beam 324 bythe IR receiver 322 is interrupted. The IR receiver 322 may generate acontrol signal that is representative of whether the IR receiver 322receives the IR beam 324. The control signal may thus be representativeof the position of the toggle actuator 306, and may comprise anindication of when the toggle actuator 306 is operated. The faceplateremote control device 300 may further include a control circuit (notshown) that is configured to determine the position of the toggleactuator 306 in response to the control signal generated by the IRreceiver 322. The faceplate remote control device 300 may furtherinclude a wireless communication circuit (not shown). The controlcircuit may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit totransmit one or more messages in response to the position of the toggleactuator 306. It should be appreciated that the faceplate remote controldevice 300 is not limited to the illustrated obstruction detectiondevice. For example, the obstruction detection device may alternativelycomprise magnetic, fiber optic, or other proximity detection techniquesto detect the position of the toggle actuator 306.

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram of an example faceplate remotecontrol device 400. The faceplate remote control device 400 may beimplemented, for example, as the faceplate remote control device 120 ofthe lighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 2, as the faceplate remotecontrol device 200 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and/or as the faceplateremote control device 300 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The faceplate remotecontrol device 400 may include a control circuit 410. The controlcircuit 410 may include one or more of a processor (e.g., amicroprocessor), a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), or any suitable processing device. The faceplate remotecontrol device 400 may be mounted to a standard wall-mounted mechanicalswitch. The control circuit 410 may be configured to detect the positionof a toggle actuator of the mechanical switch.

The faceplate remote control device 400 may comprise a toggle actuatordetector circuit 412 that is communicatively coupled to the controlcircuit 410 and that is configured to generate a toggle actuator controlsignal V_(TOG) that is representative of the position of the toggleactuator of the mechanical switch. The toggle actuator control signalV_(TOG) may be received by the control circuit 410, and may comprise anindication of when the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch isoperated. The toggle actuator detector circuit 412 may be implementedas, for example, the wiper 224 of the sliding member 221 and theconductive pad 234 on the printed circuit board 230 of the faceplateremote control device 200, as a mechanical tactile switch (not shown)that could be mounted to the printed circuit board 230 and that could beactuated by the sliding member 221, and/or as the IR transmitter 320 andthe IR receiver 322 of the faceplate remote control device 300. Thecontrol circuit 410 may be configured to determine the position of thetoggle actuator of the mechanical switch in response to the toggleactuator control signal V_(TOG).

The faceplate remote control device 400 may further include a wirelesscommunication circuit 414 that is communicatively coupled to the controlcircuit 410. The wireless communication circuit 414 may include, forexample, an RF transmitter that is coupled to an antenna fortransmitting RF signals. The control circuit 410 may be configured tocause the wireless communication circuit 414 to transmit one or moremessages (e.g., via RF signals) in response to the position of thetoggle actuator of the mechanical switch determined from the toggleactuator control signal V_(TOG). Alternatively, the wirelesscommunication circuit 414 may include an RF receiver for receiving RFsignals, an RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving RF signals, oran infrared (IR) transmitter for transmitter IR signals. For example,the control circuit 410 may be configured to receive one or moremessages, via the wireless communication circuit 414, which may includefor example, an amount of power being delivered to an electrical loadthat is controlled by a load control device that is associated with thefaceplate remote control device 400.

The control circuit 410 may be configured to detect one or morepredetermined patterns of operation of the toggle actuator of themechanical switch, for instance as described herein. For example, thecontrol circuit 410 may be configured to detect a predetermined patternof operation that comprises one or more toggles of the toggle actuatorbetween the first and second positions a predetermined number of times,for instance within a predetermined interval of time. Such predeterminedpatterns of operation of the toggle actuator may be associated withdesired functionality of one or more devices that are associated withthe faceplate remote control device 400 in a lighting control system.For example, one or more predetermined patterns of operation of thetoggle actuator may be associated with the selection of correspondinglighting presets (e.g., lighting scenes) by a user of the faceplateremote control device 400. Upon detecting a predetermined pattern ofoperation of the toggle actuator that is associated with a selectedlighting preset, the control circuit 410 may cause the wirelesscommunication circuit 414 to transmit one or more messages to one ormore devices that are associated with the faceplate remote controldevice 400. The one or messages may include, for example, commands thatcause one or more load control devices that are associated with thefaceplate remote control device 400 to adjust the intensities ofcorresponding lighting loads in accordance with the selected lightingpreset.

The faceplate remote control device 400 may further include a memory416. The memory 416 may be communicatively coupled to the controlcircuit 410, and may operate to store information, such as one or morelighting presets that may be associated with predetermined patterns ofoperation of the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch. The controlcircuit 410 may be configured to store such information in, and/or toretrieve such information from, the memory 416. The memory 416 mayinclude any component suitable for storing such information. Forexample, the memory 416 may include one or more components of volatileand/or non-volatile memory, in any combination. The memory 416 may beinternal and/or external with respect to the control circuit 410. Forexample, the memory 416 may be implemented as an external integratedcircuit (IC), or as an internal circuit of the control circuit 410(e.g., integrated within a microchip).

The faceplate remote control device 400 may further include one or morebuttons, such as one or more control buttons 418 and/or a programmingbutton 420 that are communicatively coupled to the control circuit 410,for instance such that the control circuit 410 may receive respectiveinputs from the one or more control buttons 418 and the programmingbutton 420. The faceplate remote control device 400 may further includea visual display 422 that is configured to provide feedback, for exampleof the amount of power being delivered to the electrical load beingcontrolled by the load control device that is associated with thefaceplate remote control device 400. The visual display 422 maycomprise, for example, one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)illuminating a linear array of visual indicators on the faceplate remotecontrol device 400. The faceplate remote control device 400 may furtherinclude a sensing circuit 424 that comprises a sensing device. Thesensing circuit 424 may be configured to provide automated control ofthe lighting load that is controlled by the load control device that isassociated with the faceplate remote control device 400. For example,the sensing circuit 424 may comprise an occupancy sensing circuit or adaylight sensing circuit (e.g., similar to the sensing device 270 of thefaceplate remote control device 200 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). Thefaceplate remote control device 400 may further include an energystorage device, such as a battery 426 (e.g., a coin cell battery). Thebattery 426 may be configured to provide power to the control circuit410, the wireless communication circuit 414, and/or to other low voltagecircuitry of the faceplate remote control device 400.

FIG. 6 depicts another example load control system that is configured asa lighting control system 500. The lighting control system 500 mayinclude various components that are associated with each other, and thatare configured to communicate with one another, for instance viawireless communication. As shown, the lighting control system 500includes a controllable light source 510 and a faceplate remote controldevice 520 that may be configured to control the controllable lightsource 510. The controllable light source 510 and the faceplate remotecontrol device 520 may include respective wireless communicationcircuits. For example, the controllable light source 510 may include aradio frequency (RF) transmitter, and the faceplate remote controldevice 520 may include an RF transceiver. The controllable light source510 may be associated with the faceplate remote control device 520during a configuration procedure of the lighting control system 500,such that the controllable light source 510 may be configured to respondto one or more messages transmitted by the faceplate remote controldevice 520.

The controllable light source 510 may include an integral lighting load(not shown) and an integral load regulation circuit (not shown). Theintegral lighting load of the controllable light source 510 maycomprise, for example, an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a compactfluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode (LED) light engine, or othersuitable light source. The integral load regulation circuit of thecontrollable light source 510 may comprise, for example, a dimmercircuit, a ballast circuit, or an LED driver circuit, for controllingthe intensity of the integral lighting load between a low-end intensity(e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately100%). The faceplate remote control device 520 may be associated withthe controllable light source 510, such that the faceplate remotecontrol device 520 may be operated to cause the integral load regulationcircuit to control the integral lighting load. The controllable lightsource 510 may be installed in a ceiling-mounted downlight fixture 512.

As shown, the downlight fixture 512 may be coupled to an AC power source502 through a standard wall-mounted mechanical switch 504 (e.g., atoggle switch or a standard light switch). The mechanical switch 504 mayinclude a toggle actuator 506. The mechanical switch 504 may be openedand closed in response to actuations of (e.g., operation of) the toggleactuator 506. Accordingly, the controllable light source 510 may beturned on and/or off in response to actuations of the toggle actuator506 of the mechanical switch 504.

The controllable light source 510 may further include a control circuit(e.g., microprocessor) and a wireless communication circuit (e.g.,comprising an RF receiver) that may be housed inside an enclosureportion of the controllable light source 510. The control circuit may beconfigured to control the integral lighting load in response to one ormore messages that are received at the wireless communication circuit(e.g., via RF signals 508), such as messages received from the faceplateremote control device 520. The controllable light source 510 may beconfigured similarly to the controllable light source 110 shown in FIG.2, for example comprising a similar mechanical assembly and/or includingsimilar electrical circuitry as.

The faceplate remote control device 520 may be configured to be attachedto (e.g., mounted to) the mechanical switch 504. For example, thefaceplate remote control device 520 may be attached to the mechanicalswitch 504 in place of a standard faceplate or wall plate. In thisregard, the faceplate remote control device 520 may replace a standardfaceplate or wall plate that was previously attached to the mechanicalswitch 504. The faceplate remote control device 520 may define anopening 522 through which the toggle actuator 506 of the mechanicalswitch 504 may protrude. As shown, the opening 522 is configured topermit the toggle actuator 506 to protrude through the opening 522 suchthat the toggle actuator 506 is operable, for example by a user of thelighting control system 500, and in particular a user of the faceplateremote control device 520.

As shown, the faceplate remote control device 520 may include one ormore buttons, such as buttons 524, 526. The one or more buttons 524, 526may be configured to cause the wireless communication circuit of thefaceplate remote control device 520 to transmit one or more messages.The one or more messages may be, for example, command messages that aretransmitted to a device that is associated with the faceplate remotecontrol device 520, such as the controllable light source 510. One ormore of the buttons 524, 526 may be operated, for example, to cause thecontrollable light source 510 to adjust the intensity of the integrallighting load, for instance when the mechanical switch 504 is closed. Toillustrate, the faceplate remote control device 520 may be configured totransmit one or more messages (e.g., command messages), for example viaRF signals 508, to the controllable light source 510 in response tooperation of one or more of the buttons 524, 526.

The faceplate remote control device 520 may be configured to operate asa state change device. For example, the faceplate remote control device520 may be configured to transmit one or more messages, for example viaRF signals 508, in response to actuations of the toggle actuator 506 ofthe mechanical switch 504. The one or more messages may be indicative ofa change of state within the lighting control system 500. For example,one or more messages may be indicative of a change of state of thetoggle actuator 506 of the mechanical switch 504. Such messages may bereferred to as change of state messages, or as change of state signals,and may be interpreted by one or more devices that are associated withthe faceplate remote control device 520, such as the controllable lightsource 510, as indications (e.g., commands) to turn on, turn off, dim,etc. respective lighting loads.

The lighting control system 500 may further include another load controldevice. For example, as shown, the lighting control system 500 furtherincludes a plug-in load control device 530. The plug-in load controldevice 530 is plugged into an electrical outlet 536 that has twounswitched receptacles that are in electrical communication with the ACpower source 502. The lighting control system 500 further includes afloor lamp 532. A standard light bulb 534 is installed in the floor lamp532. The floor lamp 532 is plugged into the plug-in load control device530, such that the plug-in load control device 530 may be operated toadjust the intensity of the light bulb 534 between a low end intensity(e.g., approximately 1%) and a high-end intensity (e.g., approximately100%).

The plug-in load control device 530 may be associated with, and may becontrolled by, the faceplate remote control device 520. For example, theplug-in load control device 530 may cause the light bulb 534 to turn onor off in response to the receipt of one or more messages transmitted bythe faceplate remote control device 520 (e.g., via RF signals 508). Thismay allow the intensity of the light bulb 534 to be synchronized withthat of the controllable light source 510, for example. The plug-in loadcontrol device 530 may be configured to adjust the intensity of thelight bulb 534, for instance in response to one or more messagestransmitted by the faceplate remote control device 520 in response tooperation of one or more of the buttons 524, 526. The plug-in loadcontrol device 530 may include one or more buttons (not shown) that areconfigured to provide local control of the plug-in load control device530, for example to allow adjustment of the intensity of the light bulb534. Alternatively, the plug-in load control device 530 may comprise atabletop load control device or a wall-mounted dimmer switch.

The lighting control system 500 may further include one or more otherdevices that are configured to transmit messages (e.g., via RF signals508) that may cause one or more load control devices of the lightingcontrol system 500 to adjust corresponding lighting loads. For example,as shown, the lighting control system 500 further includes abattery-powered handheld remote control device 540, an occupancy sensor550, and a daylight sensor 560 that may be configured to operatesimilarly to the battery-powered handheld remote control device 140, theoccupancy sensor 150, and the daylight sensor 160, respectively, of thelighting control system 100 shown in FIG. 2. The controllable lightsource 510 may be configured to control the intensity of the integrallighting load in response to one or more messages received from thehandheld remote control device 540, the occupancy sensor 550, and/or thedaylight sensor 560, when the mechanical switch 504 is closed. Theplug-in load control device 530 may be configured to control theintensity of the light bulb 534 in response to one or more messagesreceived from the handheld remote control device 540, the occupancysensor 550, and/or the daylight sensor 560, while the plug-in loadcontrol device 530 is plugged into the electrical outlet 536.

It should be appreciated that while the lighting control systems 100,500 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6, respectively, are described hereinwith reference to single-pole AC systems, that the apparatuses,features, and/or techniques described herein may be implemented in athree-way lighting system having two single-pole double-throw (SPDT)mechanical switches (e.g., standard three-way switches), to control asingle electrical load. For example, a lighting control system inaccordance with such a configuration may include two faceplate remotecontrol devices, with one faceplate remote control device mounted toeach SPDT switch. Moreover, the apparatuses, features, and/or techniquesdescribed herein may be implemented in a four-way lighting system, or ina lighting system having more control locations. Additionally, theapparatuses, features, and/or techniques described herein may be appliedto direct-current (DC) distribution systems.

It should further be appreciated that the apparatuses, features, and/ortechniques described herein are not limited to implementation in afaceplate remote control device that is configured to be mounted to amechanical switch that is mounted in a wallbox. For example, one or morecomponents of the faceplate remote control device may be integrated intoa mechanical switch. Such a configuration may comprise a remote controlswitch device that may be deployed as a replacement for an existingwall-mounted mechanical switch, for instance. For example, the remotecontrol switch device may include an integral wireless communicationcircuit, and may be associated with one or more devices of a loadcontrol system, such as a load control device of a lighting controlsystem. The remote control switch device may be configured to operatesimilarly to the faceplate remote control devices described herein. Forexample, the remote control switch device may be configured to transmitone or more messages (e.g., commands and/or change of state signals) toone or more devices that are associated with the remote control switchdevice, in response to operation of the toggle actuator of the remotecontrol switch device. Such a remote control device may be configured,for example, with a standard toggle actuator, or with a Decora® ordesigner style toggle actuator.

1. A faceplate remote control device comprising: a housing that definesan opening that is configured to receive a toggle actuator of a lightswitch; a user interface that is configured to receive an input from auser of the faceplate remote control device; and a wirelesscommunication circuit that is configured to transmit a message inresponse to receiving the input at the user interface.
 2. The faceplateremote control device of claim 1, wherein the message includes a commandthat is transmitted to a load control device that is associated with thefaceplate remote control device.
 3. The faceplate remote control deviceof claim 1, further comprising: a toggle indicator that is supported bythe housing, and that is configured to cause a generation of anindication when the toggle actuator is toggled, and wherein the wirelesscommunication circuit is further configured to transmit a second messagethat is based on the indication.
 4. The faceplate remote control deviceof claim 3, wherein the second message comprises a change of statemessage that is transmitted to a load control device that is associatedwith the faceplate remote control device.
 5. The faceplate remotecontrol device of claim 4, wherein the load control device is configuredto control a lighting load based on the second message.
 6. The faceplateremote control device of claim 5, wherein a toggle indicator isconfigured to cause the generation of the indication when the toggleactuator is toggled into a first position, wherein the toggle indicatoris further configured to cause a generation of a second indication whenthe toggle actuator is operated into a second position that is differentfrom the first position, and wherein the wireless communication circuitis further configured to transmit a third message that is based on thesecond indication.
 7. The faceplate remote control device of claim 2,wherein the load control device is configured to control an electricalload based on the command.
 8. The faceplate remote control device ofclaim 7, wherein the electrical load comprises a lighting load, andwherein the load control device is configured to change an intensity ofthe lighting load by at least one of raising and lowering the intensitybased on the command.
 9. The faceplate remote control device of claim 8,further comprising: a plurality of visual indicators configured toindicate the intensity of the lighting load.
 10. The faceplate remotecontrol device of claim 7, further comprising: a toggle indicator thatis supported by the housing, and that is configured to cause ageneration of an indication when the toggle actuator is toggled, whereinthe wireless communication circuit is further configured to transmit asecond message to the load control device that is based on theindication, and wherein the load control device is configured to controlthe electrical load based on the second message.
 11. The faceplateremote control device of claim 10, wherein the housing defines a cavity,wherein the toggle indicator comprises a sliding member that moveswithin the cavity when the toggle actuator is operated, and wherein thesliding member is configured to captively attach to the toggle actuator.12. The faceplate remote control device of claim 7, further comprising:a programming actuator an actuation of which is configured to cause thefaceplate remote control device and the load control device to beassociated.
 13. The faceplate remote control device of claim 7, furthercomprising: a sensing device configured to detect at least one of anoccupancy and a vacancy condition, wherein the wireless communicationcircuit is further configured to transmit a second message to the loadcontrol device based at least in part on the sensing device detectingthe at least one of the occupancy and the vacancy condition, and whereinthe load control device is configured to control the electrical loadbased on the second message
 14. The faceplate of claim 7, wherein thelight switch comprises a wall-mounted light switch, and wherein thehousing is configured to be attached to the wall-mounted light switch.15. The faceplate remote control device of claim 14, wherein the housingcomprises: an adapter plate that is configured to attach to a yoke ofthe wall-mounted light switch; and a front plate that is configured toattach to the adapter plate, wherein the opening is defined by theadapter plate and the front plate.
 16. The faceplate remote controldevice of claim 7, wherein the opening permits the toggle actuator toprotrude through the opening such that the toggle actuator is operable.17. The faceplate remote control device of claim 7, further comprisingan energy storage device that is configured to power the wirelesscommunication circuit.
 18. The faceplate remote control device of claim17, wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.
 19. Thefaceplate remote control device of claim 1, wherein the user interfacecomprises a button, further wherein the input is an actuation of thebutton.
 20. The faceplate remote control device of claim 1, wherein theuser interface comprises a capacitive touch display.